Wrapped presents in checked baggage

[PlutoPony]

OK, I know that it's recommended you not wrap presents that are in carry on luggage when flying.... but what about checked luggage? I would assume it's the same - don't do it - but it would be nice to have a few things already wrapped when we get to our destination

Anyone have experience??

TIA!
Beth

 

[Harligirl]

They tell you not to wrap anything..... If they open your checked luggage to inspect it and there are wrapped presents, they will open them

You could look to bring some nice decorative boxes that break down so when you get to your destination, you could put them in the box with some nice curly ribbon....

Good luck!
Lisa

 

[DVC-Don]

I would not put presents in checked bags nowadays. If you can not carry it on, I'd UPS the stuff.

 

[PlutoPony]

I would not put presents in checked bags nowadays. If you can not carry it on, I'd UPS the stuff.

But then I run the risk of my DS seeing his presents if we get a thorough security check..... Mostly talking about kids books, small games, etc.-hopefully stuff that wouldn't be too "interesting" if someone other than TSA was rifling thru my checked bags.

THANKS!

 

[bopeep9207]

But then I run the risk of my DS seeing his presents if we get a thorough security check..... Mostly talking about kids books, small games, etc.-hopefully stuff that wouldn't be too "interesting" if someone other than TSA was rifling thru my checked bags.

THANKS!

Recently they had a report on TV about theft among TSA employees.
I would UPS it down, already wrapped.

 

[DMRick]

If you have them in your bags, and they open your bags, they will unwrap them and leave you the note that they were in your bags. I'm trying to figure out why they always pick on my bag to open. I wonder if it's the powdered tide. Can't figure out why always mine, but not the two peopole I traveled with. Or maybe..they are just checking to see what mug I'm bringing back to the World with me.

 

[bdcp]

My husband's bag has been opened several times and his knee braces has been fiddled with and they never put a note in. He knows they've been in because the way the brace has been handled is very obvious. It's not that it's shifted around, it's actually been turned over, straps undone (velcro), etc.

I wouldnever put anything of value in a checked bag, ever. There has always been theft from checked baggage, even before TSA. It's not a new thing. It always amazes me that people put good jewelry and cameras in their checked bags. Every once in a while you'll hear of someone who had tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry taken from their checked bags. What were they thinking?

 

[wendylovesdisney]

I have had my bags opened with NO note.
I have had presents unwrapped/opened.
My sister has had jewelry and cds stolen and the airports take has always been regarding the thefts was "you can't prove it".
-Wendy

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

Just be careful, the TSA has the option of opening anything, whether you're there or not to witness it. So if you have things wrapped, they may ask you to unwrap them....I'd just pack them unwrapped, bring along paper, ribbons, etc., (that's what I do) and wrap them when you get there, or get the cute bags and tissue paper and do it that way, then there's no tape you have to bring, or scissors either....hope that helps!

 

[CarolA]

What are you gifts? As a poster above has noticed, the airlines won't cover some items. Specifically you should never check electronics or jewerly in luggage. The contract you enter into with the airline specifically excludes these items.

 

[Free4Life11]

No way do I trust those TSA employees. Half of them look like trouble and some are just incredibly UNPROFESSIONAL. Makes me mad...

 

[CarolA]

Free4Life11,
That's ok, they don't trust you either.

 

[PlutoPony]

TSA isn't the only group of people who have access to your bags while you're not around..... Well before this increased security and TSA, people had problems w/ bags "missing" things when they came thru baggage claims. Some specific airports were known for these problems. So I think it's unfair to blame a particular group of people on this. The general rule of thumb to not check anything that you can't afford to lose is a good one Any presents I end up checking thru in luggage will be low value - kids books, card games, etc. And they won't be wrapped ...!

Happy Holidays everyone!

 

[NotUrsula]

The problem with checking gifts (wrapped or not) is that they are new, and things like clothing still have identifying tags on them. Thieves find such items VERY attractive, because they can take those brand-new items back to the store and and claim that they received them as a gift. Then they get store credit for the items, pick out new things, and or even then take THOSE things to another branch of the same store for a cash refund.

If you feel that you have to put new items in checked baggage, take the precaution of taking the items out of their original store packaging, and removing ALL tags that mark where they came from.

The luggage theft problem is worse now than it used to be, not because baggage-handlers are so much more honest than TSA agents, but because representatives of two different corporate bodies now have access to your bags, creating a double-blind for the thieves to hide behind. The airlines can blame it on TSA, while TSA can blame it on the airlines, and thus neither side watches their own people as closely as they should.

 

[laurabelle]

We're flying out to spend Christmas with my hubby's family this year. I wrapped and boxed up all our gifts in a medium sized packing box from a storage place. It was not expensive- $20 at USPS including insurance. And yes, the box made it there! No way would we risk losing them in checked baggage...

 

[Chicago526]

Another vote for UPS, FedEX, or USPS Priority Mail (with tracking and insurance).

Even if everyone that comes in contact with the bag is 100% honest, they could still lose the bag (for a day, a week, a month). Why take the chance?